David Haye hands in Luxembourg boxing licence in pursuit to fight Vitali Klitschko

David Haye has handed back his Luxembourg Boxing Federation licence as the former world champion eyes a money-spinning heavyweight title showdown with long-term rival Vitali Klitschko.

Haye was forced to controversially seek a licence from the LBF in order to secure a permit to fight Dereck Chisora last July, in which he went on to impressively defeat his British foe inside five devastating rounds in front of 30,000 fans at Upton Park.

'I’d like to thank the Luxembourg Boxing Federation for licensing me ahead of my July bout with Dereck Chisora in London, but I no longer require that license,' said former WBA world heavyweight champion Haye, speaking to South London Press.

Big plans: David Haye has handed in his Luxembourg Boxing Federation licence in his bid to land a 10million title fight with Vitali Klitschko

'It’s been well-publicised already, but the reason I applied for a license from the Luxembourg Boxing Federation was because my opponent, Dereck Chisora, had seen his British license withdrawn.

'The only way we were able to deliver the fight the public wanted, when they wanted it, was to both apply for foreign licenses, as arranged by Chisora’s promoter.

Now Haye, who had retired following his defeat to Wladmir Klitschko in 2011, wants to coax WBC champion Vitali into the ring and end the Ukrainian's eight-year reign as the best in the world.

'My aim is to get Vitali in a ring next year, after his election campaign has failed, and bring his WBC world title back to Britain,' said Haye.

'This is the only fight that interests me at heavyweight, and the WBC world heavyweight title is the one belt I’m desperate to win before I retire for good.

'I won the WBC world cruiserweight title in 2007, and have won many other world titles since, but lifting the green WBC belt at heavyweight would be an extremely proud moment for me.'

Return: David Haye was presented a licenece by General Secretary of the LBF, Tony Tiberi ahead of his victory over Dereck Chisora, which he comfortably won inside five rounds at Upton Park earlier this summer (below)

Klitschko, however, is pondering retirement with a view to entering politics in his native Ukraine following his recent victory over Manuel Charr.

But Haye, who must convince the British Boxing Board of Control to sanction him once more after his disputed decision to take a licence from Luxembourg earlier this year, is doing his utmost to tempt the 41-year-old into one final pay day.

Defeat: Haye lost his WBA title to Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg in 2011

'If I was Vitali Klitschko, I wouldn’t want to go out on a win like that,' Haye added.

'Even in a predictably one-sided affair he didn’t look impressive and the the finish was anti-climactic to say the least. The win itself also means very little, as Manuel Charr proved to be nothing more than an unworthy challenger in a half-empty arena.

'In an ideal world, though, I’d now like to box on with a British license.

'I’m a British boxer, I have never had any issues with the board and, should a fight with Vitali Klitschko happen, I’d be keen to have the British Boxing Board of Control in my corner, simply because they are so experienced and are the best at what they do.'

Earlier this month, the WBC paved the way for a 10million super-fight with Klitschko next year after holding constructive clear-the-air-talks with the 31-year-old.

Should the lucrative bout materialise, a football ground would be the likely venue either early in Spring or next summer.

A return to Germany, where Haye lost his WBA strap in Hamburg to Wladimir, could be prohibitive though following Haye's infamous press conference fight with Chisora back in February.